Biblical Communication 101

      Upon the recommendation of a mentor and friend I have read through a book by J. Grant Howard, The Trauma of Transparency: A Biblical Approach to Inter- Personal Communication. My initial reaction to the book was to notice the title: "Trauma? That's a little dramatic." This initial response was quickly followed by a thought that not only shed some light on the use of the word trauma, but also put some conviction into my own heart: "I don't like transparency... transparency is a weakness... a true man of strength does not need to let others into his life - his heart and mind." I then noticed the picture on the front cover: a suit of armor that completely covered the "man behind the mask." Not only was the individual hidden from view due to the armor, the armor was also camouflaged into the landscape behind him. Here was a man who would not let anyone in, and as such, could not let himself out.

      Howard's book was separated from other communication books because of his discussion of sin as the real root of the problems faced in communication. His description of the relationships that God, Adam, and Eve enjoyed before the Fall reminded me of my (now) eight year old sister. I remember her innocence in that she had little to no awareness of how the things of this earth could be used for evil. For her, there was no deception, manipulation, or cheating. This afforded her the freedom to say and do things in front of others that I would never think of doing because of my own pride. I was also reminded of how quickly this innocence ceased... how she didn't need to be taught to fear... how her sinful nature was enough to make her mindful of the "necessity"to meet her own needs over the needs of others (pride).

      If sin is the root of the problem, what is the solution? I will address this issue in another post, but for now I leave you with this thought that relates back to one of my initial reactions to this book: is it not transparency a show of strength rather than weakness? True strength lies in ones ability to rest secure in the knowledge that God has resolved all of the important issues in this life through the finished work of Jesus on the cross and in the empty grave. This truth ought to afford me the confidence to not listen to the lie that to truly know and be known is to open oneself to ultimate disgrace. If God has covered me with His grace, then how can I fear.

Serve the King well today,
Jonathan S.

       Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory. Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who is known by you and that to know you is the foundation stone of knowledge. Lead him I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail. Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high, a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men. One who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past. And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of a humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never takes himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.

(Prayer of General Douglas MacArthur, for his son)

Serve the King,
Jonathan S.

The Pilgrim

He who would valiant be/ 'Gainst all disaster,
Let him in constancy/ Follow the Master.
There's no discouragement
        Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent/ To be a pilgrim.

Who so beset him round/ With dismal stories
Do but themselves confound-
       His strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might;
        Though he with giants fight,
He will make good his right/ To be a pilgrim.

Since, Lord, Thou dost defend
        Us with Thy Spirit,
We know we at the end/ Shall life inherit.
Then fancies flee away!. I'll fear not what men say,
I'll labor night and day/ To be a pilgrim.

- John Bunyan

Serve the King,
Jonathan S.

Why Did Jesus Die (Hebrews 2)

1. To bring many sons to glory (2:10)
2. To be a complete Savior (2:10)
3. To sanctify us (2:11)
4. To identify with us (2:11-13)
5. To render the devil ineffective (2:14)
6. To free us from the slavery of death (2:15)
7. To help us (2:16)
8. To be a merciful and faithful high priest (2:17)
9. To make propitiation for sins (2:17)
10. To help those who are being tempted (2:18)

"It wasn't enough to be a Prophet and King, but He had to be a Priest with a perfect Sacrifice." - Dr. Roy Zuck

Serve the Highest Priest well,
Jonathan S.

Questions on James

The following questions were posed by my Sunday School teacher (Dr. Roy Zuck) at the conclusion of our study on the book of James. Consider them to be an effective overview of the application content in the book.

1. Am I facing some trial that is difficult to understand and accept?
2. Am I remembering that testing of my faith develops endurance?
3. If I lack wisdom about my trials, am I asking God?
4. Am I grateful for every good and perfect gift from God?
5. Am I quick to listen and slow to speak?
6. Am I listening to the Word and doing what it says?
7. Am I avoiding showing favoritism?
8. Am I living out my faith in good deeds?
9. Am I careful in what I say, realizing words are influential and can do damage like a fire?
10. Am I wise in God's eyes by living a life of purity, submission, mercy, and peace?
11. Am I avoiding quarrels and fights?
12. Am I avoiding being a friend of the world?
13. Am I submitting to God and resisting the devil?
14. Am I avoiding boasting?
15. Am I being patient when mistreated?
16. Am I anticipating the soon return of the Lord?
17. Am I praying when facing hardships?
18. Am I singing to the Lord in times of happiness?
19. Am I praying in times of sickness, realizing prayer can be powerful and effective?
20. Am I helping other believers who may have strayed from the truths of God's Word?

- JE
Serve God well today

Jealous for the Name of Christ

I do not know if you are aware of this, but a few weeks ago DTS professor, Dr. Daniel Wallace debated UNC professor, Dr. Bart Ehrman on the campus of Southern Methodist University. The topic of the debate was, Can We Trust the Text of the New Testament? Here is a link to Dr. Wallace's faculty page: http://www.dts.edu/about/faculty/dwallace/. Here is a link to Dr. Ehrman's page: http://www.bartdehrman.com/biography.htm.

For those who know Dr. Wallace, he does not enjoy speaking in front of people... in fact he he sweats just thinking about teaching one of his classes! This latest debate with Dr. Ehrman happened to be only his fourth debate ever! In contrast, Dr. Ehrman conducts numerous debates every year and is a very polished communicator. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the debate (work!), but I was able to hear Dr. Wallace's thoughts on the debate. There are two thoughts in particular that I would like to share with you.

First, when debating individuals, our concern should be for the individual. Dr. Ehrman's issue with the trustworthiness New Testament is not a lack of evidence, but his is with his own struggles with morality. This should lead us to love him and pray for him.

The most profound thing that Dr. Wallace said was in relation to his own thoughts and feelings leading up to the debate. He was obviously nervous about the thought of debating such a prominent scholar in front of a couple thousand of people. This nervousness was only compounded when he considered how just a few weeks earlier, Dr. Ehrman had virtually destroyed another prominent Christian in a debate over the reliability of the Bible. Dr. Wallace was concerned about whether or not he would be able to avoid having his own name destroyed in the upcoming debate. About a half-hour before the debate, the realization hit him that even if he was defeated in the debate, God would take care of His own Name and Word. What a wondrous peace this thought affords, that God is jealous of His own name and glory. Indeed, may I set my concern and affections on the advancement of the glory of God, His name, and His Word.

Walk with Him today,
JE

Our High Priest

Hebrews 9:6-7, 11 tells us that, "When these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people. But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made wit hands, that is to say, not of this building. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

I want to focus on the fact that the high priest was required to enter into the Holy of Hollies twice: the first time to shed blood on behalf of his own sins, and then again on behalf of the sins of the people. Christ Jesus, with His death, shed His own blood in the Holy Place once on behalf of the sins of the people... for He had no sin to atone for Himself.

This beautiful picture of Christ's sacrifice further demonstrates the need to be a good student of the Old Testament in order to be a good student of the New Testament.

Serve God well today, as redeemed by Christ's blood,  and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

- JE